Vaporizer device including adaptive temperature profiling

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of a system for generating an inhalable aerosol are described. The system includes a vaporizable material insert containing a vaporizable material. The vaporizer device including a heating system. The heating system including a heating element positioned adjacent a vaporizable material compartment. The vaporizable material compartment configured to receive the vaporizable material insert. The heating system including an airflow pathway extending along the vaporizable material compartment. The temperature of the heating element may be adjusted such that a consistent total particulate matter (TPM) is delivered with each successive puff. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Greek Patent Application No. 20200100441, entitled “ADAPTIVE TEMPERATURE PROFILING” and filed on Jul 24, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/057,696, entitled “Vaporizer Device Including Adaptive Temperature Profiling” and filed on Jul. 28, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to vaporizer devices and more specifically to adaptive temperature profiling for vaporizer devices.

BACKGROUND

Vaporizer devices, which can also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used for delivery of an aerosol (for example, a vapor-phase and/or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier) containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizing device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a class of vaporizer devices that are battery powered and that can be used to simulate the experience of smoking, but without burning of tobacco or other substances. Vaporizers are gaining increasing popularity both for prescriptive medical use, in delivering medicaments, and for consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and/or convenient for use.

In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, colloquially referred to as “vapor,” which can be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causes a liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which can be liquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and/or any other form compatible for use with a specific vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer can be provided within a cartridge for example, a separable part of the vaporizer device that contains vaporizable material) that includes an outlet (for example, a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by a user.

To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a user may, in certain examples, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a button, and/or by some other approach. A puff as used herein can refer to inhalation by the user in a manner that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by a combination of the vaporized vaporizable material with the volume of air.

An approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to the gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber can refer to an area or volume in the vaporizer device within which a heat source (for example, a conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat source) causes heating of a vaporizable material to produce a mixture of air and vaporized material to form a vapor for inhalation of the vaporizable material by a user of the vaporization device.

In some embodiments, the vaporizable material can be drawn out of a reservoir and into the vaporization chamber via a wicking element (e.g., a wick). Drawing of the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber can be at least partially due to capillary action provided by the wick as the wick pulls the vaporizable material along the wick in the direction of the vaporization chamber.

Vaporizer devices can be controlled by one or more controllers, electronic circuits (for example, sensors, heating elements), and/or the like on the vaporizer. Vaporizer devices can also wirelessly communicate with an external controller for example, a computing device such as a smartphone).

SUMMARY

In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges associated with delivering consistent inhalable doses of a vaporizable material can be addressed by inclusion of one or more of the features described herein or comparable/equivalent approaches as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the current subject matter relate to methods and systems for adaptive temperature profiling in a vaporizer device. The adaptive temperature profiling may ensure a consistent quantity of volatiles from the vaporizable material, as measured in total particulate matter (TPM), are delivered with each successive puff.

In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a heating element, a sensor, and a controller. The heating element may be configured to heat a vaporizable material. The sensor may be configured to detect a duration of a first puff and an interval between the first puff and a second puff subsequent to the first puff. The controller may be configured to adjust, based at least on the duration of the first puff and the interval between the first puff and the second puff, a temperature of the heating element.

In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in any feasible combination. The heating element may be adjusted to a first temperature for the first puff and a second temperature for the second puff.

In some variations, the heating element may be maintained at the second temperature for the second puff and at least a third puff subsequent to the second puff.

In some variations, the heating element may be further adjusted to a third temperature subsequent to the third puff.

In some variations, the controller may adjust the temperature of the heating element to achieve a flat total particulate matter (TPM) profile.

In some variations, the flat TPM profile may correspond to delivering a first TPM with the first puff and a second TPM with the second puff. The first TPM and the second TPM may be within a predetermined TPM range.

In some variations, the predetermined TPM range may be between 3.5 milligrams and 5 milligrams.

In some variations, the first TPM and the second TPM may correspond to a mass of volatiles included in an aerosol delivered with a corresponding puff.

In some variations, the controller may adjust the temperature of the heating element by at least regulating an output voltage of a power source at the apparatus and/or a duty cycle at which electrical power from the power source is delivered to the heating element.

In some variations, the heating element may be positioned adjacent to a vaporizable material receptacle configured to receive a vaporizable material insert including the vaporizable material.

In some variations, the vaporizable material insert may include one or more perforations configured to allow air traveling along an airflow pathway of the apparatus to pass through the vaporizable material included in the vaporizable material insert.

In another aspect, a method for adaptive temperature profiling. The method may include: receiving a vaporizable material into a vaporizable material compartment of a vaporizer device, the vaporizable device further comprising an airflow pathway and an adaptive heating system, the airflow pathway extending along the vaporizable material compartment, and the adaptive heating system including a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material, a sensor configured to detect a duration of a first puff and an interval between the first puff and a second puff subsequent to the first puff, and a controller configured to adjust, based at least on the duration of the first puff and the interval between the first puff and the second puff, a temperature of the heating element; heating, by the heating element, the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user; and adjusting the temperature of the heating element in response to the duration of the first puff and/or the interval between the first puff and the second puff deviating from a predetermined value.

In some variations, one or more of the following features may optionally be included in any feasible combination. The heating element may be adjusted to a first temperature for the first puff and a second temperature for the second puff.

In some variations, the heating element may be maintained at the second temperature for the second puff and at least a third puff subsequent to the second puff.

In some variations, the heating element may be further adjusted to a third temperature subsequent to the third puff.

In some variations, the controller may adjust the temperature of the heating element to achieve a flat total particulate matter (TPM) profile.

In some variations, the flat TPM profile may correspond to delivering a first TPM with the first puff and a second TPM with the second puff. The first TPM and the second TPM may be between a predetermined TPM range.

In some variations, the predetermined TPM range may be between 3.5 milligrams and 5 milligrams.

In some variations, the first TPM and the second TPM may correspond to a mass of volatiles included in an aerosol delivered with a corresponding puff.

In some variations, the controller may adjust the temperature of the heating element by at least regulating an output voltage of a power source at the apparatus and/or a duty cycle at which electrical power from the power source is delivered to the heating element.

In some variations, one or more perforations may be created in a vaporizable material insert including the vaporizable material prior to the vaporizable material insert being disposed in the vaporizable material compartment. The one or more perforations may be configured to allow air traveling along the airflow passageway to pass through the vaporizable material included in the vaporizable material insert.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A depicts a block diagram of illustrating an example of a vaporizer device consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 1B depicts a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a vaporizer device and vaporizer cartridge consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram illustrating another example of a vaporizer device consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter;

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of an example of a vaporizable material insert consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of another example of a vaporizable material insert consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 3C depicts a perspective view of another example of a vaporizable material insert consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 4A depicts a graph illustrating an example of a temperature profile consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 4B depicts flowcharts illustrating an example of a process for adaptive temperature profiling consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 4C depicts a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for adaptive temperature profiling consistent with implementations of the currents subject matter;

FIG. 5A depicts a graph illustrating an example of a variable temperature profile graph consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 5B depicts a graph illustrating total particulate matter (TPM) as a function of puff number for various examples of vaporizable material inserts consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

FIG. 5C depicts another graph illustrating total particulate matter (TPM) as a function of puff number various examples of vaporizable material inserts consistent with implementations of the current subject matter; and

FIG. 5D depicts another graph illustrating total particulate matter (TPM) as a function of puff number for various examples of vaporizable material inserts consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.

When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures, features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the current subject matter include methods, apparatuses, articles of manufacture, and systems relating to vaporization of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. Example embodiments include vaporizer devices and systems including vaporizer devices. The term “vaporizer device” as used in the following description and claims refers to any of a self-contained apparatus, an apparatus that includes two or more separable parts (for example, a vaporizer body that includes a battery and other hardware, and a cartridge that includes a vaporizable material), and/or the like. A “vaporizer system,” as used herein, can include one or more components, such as a vaporizer device. Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and/or the like. In general, such vaporizer devices are hand-held devices that heat (such as by convection, conduction, radiation, and/or some combination thereof) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridge (for example, a part of the vaporizer that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container) which can be refillable when empty, or disposable such that a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same or different type can be used). A vaporizer device can be a cartridge-using vaporizer device, a cartridge-less vaporizer device, or a multi-use vaporizer device capable of use with or without a cartridge. For example, a vaporizer device can include a heating chamber (for example, an oven or other region in which material is heated by a heating element) configured to receive a vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber, and/or a reservoir or the like for containing the vaporizable material.

In some embodiments, a vaporizer device can be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable material (for example, a carrier solution in which an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution, or a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself), a paste, a wax, and/or a solid vaporizable material. A solid vaporizable material can include a plant material that emits some part of the plant material as the vaporizable material (for example, some part of the plant material remains as waste after the material is vaporized for inhalation by a user) or optionally can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself, such that all of the solid material can eventually be vaporized for inhalation. A liquid vaporizable material can likewise be capable of being completely vaporized, or can include some portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 1A, a vaporizer device 100 can include a power source 112 (for example, a battery, which can be a rechargeable battery), and a controller 104 (for example, a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery of heat to an atomizer 141 to cause a vaporizable material 102 to be converted from a condensed form (such as a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. The controller 104 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain embodiments of the current subject matter. After conversion of the vaporizable material 102 to the gas phase, at least some of the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase can condense to form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, which can form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 100 during a user's puff or draw on the vaporizer device 100. It should be appreciated that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer device 100 can be complex and dynamic, due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer and in the airways of a human or other animal), and/or mixing of the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase or in the aerosol phase with other air streams, which can affect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol. In some vaporizer devices, and particularly for vaporizer devices configured for delivery of volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can exist predominantly in the gas phase (for example, formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).

The atomizer 141 in the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to vaporize a vaporizable material 102. The vaporizable material 102 can be a liquid. Examples of the vaporizable material 102 include neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, and/or the like. The atomizer 141 can include a wicking element (e.g., a wick) configured to convey an amount of the vaporizable material 102 to a part of the atomizer 141 that includes a heating element (not shown in FIG. 1A).

For example, the wicking element can be configured to draw the vaporizable material 102 from a reservoir 140 configured to contain the vaporizable material 102, such that the vaporizable material 102 can be vaporized by heat delivered from a heating element. The wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir 140 and replace the volume of vaporizable material 102 removed. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, capillary action can pull vaporizable material 102 into the wick for vaporization by the heating element, and air can return to the reservoir 140 through the wick to at least partially equalize pressure in the reservoir 140. Other methods of allowing air back into the reservoir 140 to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter.

As used herein, the terms “wick” or “wicking element” include any material capable of causing fluid motion via capillary pressure.

The heating element can include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and/or a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which can include a material (such as a metal or alloy, for example a nickel-chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the atomizer 141 can include a heating element which includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to a wicking element, to cause the vaporizable material 102 drawn from the reservoir 140 by the wicking element to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and/or a condensed (for example, aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other wicking elements, heating elements, and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible.

Certain vaporizer devices may, additionally or alternatively, be configured to create an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase and/or aerosol phase via heating of the vaporizable material 102. The vaporizable material 102 can be a solid-phase material (such as a wax or the like) or plant material (for example, tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves). In such vaporizer devices, a resistive heating element can be part of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, the walls of an oven or other heating chamber into which the vaporizable material 102 is placed. Alternatively, a resistive heating element or elements can be used to heat air passing through or past the vaporizable material 102, to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material 102. In still other examples, a resistive heating element or elements can be disposed in intimate contact with plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within a mass of the plant material, as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of an oven.

The heating element can be activated in association with a user puffing (e.g., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece 130 of the vaporizer device 100 to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes the atomizer 141 (e.g., wicking element and heating element). Optionally, air can flow from an air inlet through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece 130. Incoming air moving along the airflow path moves over or through the atomizer 141, where vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase is entrained into the air. The heating element can be activated via the controller 104, which can optionally be a part of a vaporizer body 110 as discussed herein, causing current to pass from the power source 112 through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge 120 as discussed herein. As noted herein, the entrained vaporizable material 102 in the gas phase can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 102 in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (for example, the mouthpiece 130) for inhalation by a user.

Activation of the heating element can be caused by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more of a sensor 113. The sensor 113 and the signals generated by the sensor 113 can include one or more of: a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a motion sensor or sensors (for example, an accelerometer) of the vaporizer device 100, a flow sensor or sensors of the vaporizer device 100, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer device 100, detection of interaction of a user with the vaporizer device 100 via one or more input devices 116 (for example, buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer device 100), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100, and/or via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent.

As discussed herein, the vaporizer device 100 consistent with embodiments of the current subject matter can be configured to connect (such as, for example, wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer device 100. To this end, the controller 104 can include communication hardware 105. The controller 104 can also include a memory 108. The communication hardware 105 can include firmware and/or can be controlled by software for executing one or more cryptographic protocols for the communication.

A computing device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device 100, and can include its own hardware for communication, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 105 of the vaporizer device 100. For example, a computing device used as part of a vaporizer system can include a general-purpose computing device (such as a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, or the like) that executes software to produce a user interface for enabling a user to interact with the vaporizer device 100. In other embodiments of the current subject matter, such a device used as part of a vaporizer system can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical or soft (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, or the like) interface controls. The vaporizer device 100 can also include one or more outputs 117 or devices for providing information to the user. For example, the outputs 117 can include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide feedback to a user based on a status and/or mode of operation of the vaporizer device 100.

In the example in which a computing device provides signals related to activation of the resistive heating element, or in other examples of coupling of a computing device with the vaporizer device 100 for implementation of various control or other functions, the computing device executes one or more computer instruction sets to provide a user interface and underlying data handling. In one example, detection by the computing device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements can cause the computing device to signal the vaporizer device 100 to activate the heating element to reach an operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device 100 can be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 100.

The temperature of a resistive heating element of the vaporizer device 100 can depend on a number of factors, including an amount of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element and/or a duty cycle at which the electrical power is delivered, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer device 100 and/or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of the vaporizable material 102 from the wicking element and/or the atomizer 141 as a whole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer 141 as a whole when a user inhales on the vaporizer device 100). As noted herein, to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, the vaporizer device 100 may, in some embodiments of the current subject matter, make use of signals from the sensor 113 (for example, a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is inhaling. The sensor 113 can be positioned in the airflow path and/or can be connected (for example, by a passageway or other path) to an airflow path containing an inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device 100 and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol such that the sensor 113 experiences changes (for example, pressure changes) concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device 100 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the heating element can be activated in association with a user's puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, or by the sensor 113 detecting a change (.such as a pressure change) in the airflow path.

The sensor 113 can be positioned on or coupled to (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) the controller 104 (for example, a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To take measurements accurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer device 100, it can be beneficial to provide a seal 127 resilient enough to separate an airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer device 100. The seal 127, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the sensor 113 such that connections of the sensor 113 to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 are separated from a part of the sensor 113 exposed to the airflow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer, the seal 127 can also separate parts of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 110 and the vaporizer cartridge 120. Such arrangements of the seal 127 in the vaporizer device 100 can be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer components resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phases, other fluids such as the vaporizable material 102, etc., and/or to reduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device 100. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can cause various unwanted effects, such as altered pressure readings, and/or can result in the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, excess vaporizable material 102, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device 100 where they can result in poor pressure signal, degradation of the sensor 113 or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device 100. Leaks in the seal 127 can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device 100 containing, or constructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer body 110 includes the controller 104, the power source 112 (for example, a battery), one more of the sensor 113, charging contacts (such as those for charging the power source 112), the seal 127, and a cartridge receptacle 118 configured to receive the vaporizer cartridge 120 for coupling with the vaporizer body 110 through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge 120 includes the reservoir 140 for containing the vaporizable material 102, and the mouthpiece 130 has an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge 120 can include the atomizer 141 having a wicking element and a heating element. Alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body 110. In embodiments in which any part of the atomizer 141 (e.g., heating element and/or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer device 100 can be configured to supply vaporizable material 102 from the reservoir 140 in the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the part(s) of the atomizer 141 included in the vaporizer body 110.

Cartridge-based configurations for the vaporizer device 100 that generate an inhalable dose of a vaporizable material 102 that is not a liquid, via heating of a non-liquid material, are also within the scope of the current subject matter. For example, the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include a mass of a plant material that is processed and formed to have direct contact with parts of one or more resistive heating elements, and the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be configured to be coupled mechanically and/or electrically to the vaporizer body 110 that includes the controller 104, the power source 112, and one or more receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b configured to connect to one or more corresponding cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and complete a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.

In an embodiment of the vaporizer device 100 in which the power source 112 is part of the vaporizer body 110, and a heating element is disposed in the vaporizer cartridge 120 and configured to couple with the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer device 100 can include electrical connection features (for example, means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the controller 104 (for example, a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source 112, and the heating element (for example, a heating element within the atomizer 141). These features can include one or more contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b) on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b) disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer device 100 such that the cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 118. The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to a heating element and can further be used for additional functions, such as measuring a resistance of the heating element for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element.

In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b can be configured to electrically connect in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device 100 can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 in a first rotational orientation (around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110) such that the cartridge contact 124 a is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125 a and the cartridge contact 124 b is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125 b. Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device 100 can be completed by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 in the cartridge receptacle 118 in a second rotational orientation such cartridge contact 124 a is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125 b and cartridge contact 124 b is electrically connected to the receptacle contact 125 a.

In one example of an attachment structure for coupling the vaporizer cartridge 120 to the vaporizer body 110, the vaporizer body 110 includes one or more detents (for example, dimples, protrusions, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118, additional material (such as metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion protruding into the cartridge receptacle 118, and/or the like. One or more exterior surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can include corresponding recesses (not shown in FIG. 1A) that can fit and/or otherwise snap over such detents or protruding portions when the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. When the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 are coupled (e.g., by insertion of the vaporizer cartridge 120 into the cartridge receptacle 118 of the vaporizer body 110), the detents or protrusions of the vaporizer body 110 can fit within and/or otherwise be held within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge 120, to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place when assembled. Such an assembly can provide enough support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 120 in place to ensure good contact between the cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b, while allowing release of the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the vaporizer body 110 when a user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge 120 to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 120 from the cartridge receptacle 118.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least a vaporizable material insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 configured for insertion in the cartridge receptacle 118, can have a non-circular cross section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. For example, the non-circular cross section can be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (e.g., have an approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposing sides (e.g., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other shapes having rotational symmetry of at least order two. In this context, approximate shape indicates that a basic likeness to the described shape is apparent, but that sides of the shape in question need not be completely linear and vertices need not be completely sharp. Rounding of both or either of the edges or the vertices of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross section referred to herein.

The cartridge contacts 124 a and 124 b and the receptacle contacts 125 a and 125 b can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts can include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, and/or the like. Some types of contacts can include springs or other features to facilitate better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110. The electrical contacts can optionally be gold-plated, and/or include other materials.

FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of the vaporizer body 110 and the cartridge receptacle 118 into which the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be releasably inserted. FIG. 1B shows a top view of the vaporizer device 100 illustrating the vaporizer cartridge 120 positioned for insertion into the vaporizer body 110. When a user puffs on the vaporizer device 100, air can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 120 and an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 118 on the vaporizer body 110. Air can then be drawn into the vaporizable material insertable end 122 of the cartridge, through the vaporization chamber that includes or contains the heating element and wick, and out through an outlet of the mouthpiece 130 for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user. The reservoir 140 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be formed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of the vaporizable material 102 is visible within the vaporizer cartridge 120. The mouthpiece 130 can be a separable component of the vaporizer cartridge 120 or can be integrally formed with other component(s) of the vaporizer cartridge 120 (for example, formed as a unitary structure with the reservoir 140 and/or the like).

Further to the discussion above regarding the electrical connections between the vaporizer cartridge 120 and the vaporizer body 110 being reversible such that at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge 120 in the cartridge receptacle 118 are possible, in some embodiments of the vaporizer device 100, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 120, or at least a shape of the vaporizable material insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 that is configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 118, can have rotational symmetry of at least order two. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge 120 or at least the vaporizable material insertable end 122 of the vaporizer cartridge 120 can be symmetrical upon a rotation of 180° around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 120 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 118. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer device 100 can support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 120 occurs.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer device may be configured to heat a non-liquid combustible material such as, for example, materials having origin as plant leaves or other plant components, in order to extract plant specific flavor aromatics and other products as vapor. These plant materials may be chopped and blended into a homogenized construct with a variety of plant products that may include tobacco, in which case nicotine and/or nicotine compounds may be produced and delivered in aerosol form to the user of such a vaporizer device. The homogenized construct may also include vaporizable liquids such as, but not limited to, propylene glycol and glycerol in order to enhance the vapor density and aerosol produced when heated. Such constructs may be referred to as vaporizable materials. In order to avoid production of unwanted harmful or potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) vaporizer devices of this type benefit from heaters having temperature control means. Such vaporizer devices that heat plant leaves or homogenized constructs as described above, such that temperatures are kept below combustion levels, are generally referred to as heat not burn (HNB) devices.

One class of HNB vaporizer device is more sophisticated in that it utilizes relatively tight temperature control in order to prevent overheating and the related formation of HPHCs. Such sophistication, typically requiring electronic circuitry including a microprocessor, can be difficult in HNB vaporizer devices because of the inherent non-uniformity and related spatially inconsistent thermal properties of the vaporizable materials to be heated. Some existing solutions fail to control local temperatures within HNB vaporizer devices, resulting in a high probability of producing HPHCs and over-temperature regions in the vaporizable material.

In some embodiments, in order to heat the non-liquid combustible material, the vaporizer device can include a compartment that accepts a vaporizable material insert containing a non-liquid combustible material that can be heated by the vaporizer device to allow a user to inhale vapor formed as a result of heating the vaporizable material insert. The vaporizable material insert can include a jacket that forms an inner chamber configured to contain one or more non-liquid vaporizable material. Examples of the non-liquid vaporizable material may include tobacco, cannabis, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the jacket can fully or substantially contain the non-liquid vaporizable material.

In vaporizer devices configured for use with a vaporizable material insert, or pouch, applying the same heating temperature to the vaporizable material insert during every puff can result in the generation of aerosol having inconsistent quantities of volatiles from the vaporizable material. The quantity of volatiles in the aerosol delivered to the user may be measured in total particulate matter (TPM), which corresponds to a total mass of volatiles including the active ingredients and the inactive ingredients in the vaporizable material. Applying the same heating temperature to the vaporizable material insert may cause a decrease in total particulate matter (TPM) over successive puffs. This phenomenon may be attributable to an uneven depletion in the quantity of volatiles present in the vaporizable material. As the vaporizable material is heated to generate an aerosol, volatiles of the non-liquid vaporizable material may become depleted, leaving a lower proportion of available volatiles in close proximity to the heater.

Currently available vaporizer devices configured for use with a vaporizable material insert of non-liquid combustible material may increase operating temperature at pre-defined intervals based on a predetermined expected puff duration. That is, conventional vaporizer devices may apply fixed adjustments to the operating temperature regardless of the duration of each puff or the quantity of time between successive puffs. Thus, if the user takes puffs of varying durations and/or at different time intervals, the vaporizer device may be over- or under-depleting the volatiles, resulting in poor device performance, inconsistent total particulate matter (TPM) delivery, and/or a drop-off in device performance despite tobacco volatiles still being available in the vaporizable material.

Consistency in the quantity of volatiles present in the aerosol generated by a vaporizer device may be achieved by adjusting the operating temperature, or heating temperature, of the vaporizer device. The result may be a flattened total particulate matter (TPM) profile in which minimal spikes and dips in total particulate matter are observed over successive puffs. Instead, with a flattened total particulate matter profile, the total particulate matter associated with each successive puff may be substantially the same indicative of a consistent quantity of volatiles being delivered to the user. A flattened total particulate matter profile may be achieved dynamically, for example, based on a puff interval (e.g., a first quantity of time between successive puffs) and a puff duration (e.g., a second quantity time corresponding to a length of each individual puff). Shorter puff durations can result in less temperature rise and longer puff sessions. Thus, if the duration of the puff is less than expected (e.g., less than a threshold value), or if the interval between a current puff and a previous puff is longer than expected (e.g., greater than a threshold value), the vaporizer device may be configured to reduce the magnitude of the subsequent temperature increase.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a vaporizer device 200 configured for use with a vaporizable material insert 220 containing a non-liquid combustible material such as, for example, tobacco, cannabis, and/or the like. Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 2 , the vaporizer device 200 can include a power source 212 (for example, a battery, which can be a rechargeable battery), and a controller 204 (for example, a processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic) for controlling delivery of heat to a heating element to cause a vaporizable material to be converted from a condensed form (such as a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. The controller 204 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). After conversion of the vaporizable material to the gas phase, at least some of the vaporizable material in the gas phase can condense to form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, which can form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 200 during a user's puff or draw on the vaporizer device 200.

The heating element can include one or more of a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and/or a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element formed from a material (such as a metal, a metal alloy (e.g., a nickel-chromium alloy), or a non-metal) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when an electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some embodiments of the current subject matter, the atomizer 241 can include a heating element 245, which may include a resistive coil and/or another type of heating element 245 configured to deliver heat to the vaporizable material within the vaporizable material insert 220. The heating element 245 may be wrapped around, positioned within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged relative to the vaporizable material insert 220. The heating element 245 delivers sufficient heat for the vaporizable material to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and/or a condensed phase (for example, aerosol particles or droplets). Other heating elements and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible.

The atomizer 241 in the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to create an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material in the gas phase and/or aerosol phase via heating of the vaporizable material. The vaporizable material can be a solid-phase material (such as a wax or the like) or plant material (for example, tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves). In such vaporizer devices, a resistive heating element can be part of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, the walls of an oven or other heating chamber into which the vaporizable material is placed. Alternatively, a resistive heating element or elements can be used to heat air passing through or past the vaporizable material, to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material. In still other examples, a resistive heating element or elements can be disposed in intimate contact with plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within a mass of the plant material, as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of an oven.

Activation of the heating element 245 can be caused by automatic detection of a puff based on one or more signals generated by one or more of a sensor 213. The sensor 213 can include, for example, one or more of a pressure sensor configured to detect various pressures (e.g., pressure along the airflow path, ambient pressure, absolute pressure, and/or the like), a motion sensor (for example, an accelerometer) configured to detect movement of the vaporizer device 200, a flow sensor configured to detect airflow along the airflow path (e.g., a puff) and activate the heating element in response, and a capacitive sensor configured to detect an imminent or occurring puff. The capacitive sensor may use one or more approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent, such as detection of contact of a user's lip with a mouthpiece of the vaporizer device 200, detection of interaction of a user with the vaporizer device 200 via one or more input devices 216 (for example, buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer device 200), receipt of signals from a computing device in communication with the vaporizer device 200, or other suitable approaches.

The sensor 213 can be positioned on or coupled to (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) the controller 204 (for example, a printed circuit board assembly or other type of circuit board). To take measurements accurately as well as to maintain the durability of the vaporizer device 200, it can be beneficial to provide a seal resilient enough to separate an airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer device 200. The seal, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the sensor 213 such that connections of the sensor 213 to the internal circuitry of the vaporizer device 200 are separated from a part of the sensor 213 exposed to the airflow path. In an example of a vaporizable material insert-based vaporizer, the seal can also separate parts of one or more electrical connections between the vaporizer body 210 and the vaporizable material insert 220. Such arrangements of the seal in the vaporizer device 200 can be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer components resulting from interactions with environmental factors, and/or to reduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device 200. Unwanted air, liquid, or other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device 200 can cause various unwanted effects, such as altered pressure readings, and/or can result in the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, excess vaporizable material, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device 200 where they can result in poor pressure signal, degradation of the sensor 213 or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device 200. Leaks in the seal can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device 200 containing, or constructed of, materials that may not be desirable to be inhaled.

As discussed herein, in some embodiments of the current subject matter, the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to connect (such as, for example, wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a computing device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer device 200. To this end, the controller 204 can include communication hardware 205. The controller 204 can also include a memory 208. The communication hardware 205 can include firmware and/or can be controlled by software for executing one or more cryptographic protocols for communication with the computing device.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer body 210 includes the controller 204, the power source 212 (for example, a battery), one more of the sensor 213, charging contacts (such as those for charging the power source 212), and a vaporizable material insert receptacle 218 configured to receive the vaporizable material insert 220 for coupling with the vaporizer body 210 through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some examples, the vaporizer cartridge includes a mouthpiece having an aerosol outlet for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer body 210 can include the atomizer 241 having a heating element, or alternatively, the heating element can be part of the vaporizer cartridge or the vaporizable material insert 220.

Insert-based configurations for the vaporizer device 200 that generate an inhalable dose of a solid vaporizable material, via heating of a solid material, are within the scope of the current subject matter. For example, the vaporizable material insert 220 can include a mass of a plant material that is processed and formed to have direct contact with parts of one or more resistive heating elements.

In an embodiment of the vaporizer device 200 in which the power source 212 is part of the vaporizer body 210, and a heating element is disposed in the vaporizer cartridge or the vaporizable material insert 220 and configured to couple with the vaporizer body 210, the vaporizer device 200 can include electrical connection features (for example, means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the controller 204 (for example, a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the power source 212, and the heating element (for example, a heating element within the atomizer 241). The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to a heating element and can further be used for additional functions, such as measuring a resistance of the heating element for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element.

In some embodiments, the vaporizer device 200 can be configured to receive a vaporizable material insert 220 that contains a solid vaporizable material forming an inhalable aerosol when heated. For example, the vaporizable material insert 220 can include any one or more of the features and/or functions described herein related to a vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device 200 can include a heating system configured to heat the vaporizable material insert 220 and generate the inhalable aerosol. For example, the heating system can include a heating element, at least one compression plate, and an airflow pathway. As will be described in greater detail below, the heating system can be configured to receive the vaporizable material insert 220, compress the vaporizable material insert 220 onto at least one heating element, and distribute an inhalable aerosol into one or more airflow pathways for inhalation by a user.

Various embodiments of such heating systems of the vaporizer device 200 are described herein that provide a number of benefits, including evenly distributing heat through the vaporizable material of the vaporizable material insert 220. This can result in improved inhalable aerosol generation, less energy consumption (e.g., lower average temperatures) to form inhalable aerosol, and a more efficient and effective consumption of the vaporizable material.

As noted, in some embodiments, the vaporizer device 200 is configured to heat a non-liquid combustible material, such as tobacco. For example, the vaporizer body 210 can include a vaporizable material insert receptacle 218 that accepts at least one vaporizable material insert 220 configured to be heated by the vaporizer body 210 thereby generating an inhalable vapor formed as a result of heating the vaporizable material insert 220.

In some embodiments, the heating system of the vaporizer device 200 includes a vaporization chamber or vaporizable material insert receptacle 218 including a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material insert 220. The heating system may further include at least one compression plate configured to compress the vaporizable material insert 220 onto the heating element. An airflow pathway can extend through the vaporization compartment, including around the vaporizable material insert 220.

In some embodiments, the vaporizable material insert 220 may include a non-vapor permeable barrier (such as tobacco paper) configured to protect the heater from vapor deposits, such that cleaning of the heater after use may not be required. Various embodiments of a heating system and the vaporizable material insert 220 are described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 3A-C depicts various examples of the vaporizable material insert 220, which may include at least one perforation or venting hole 330 along a jacket of the vaporizable material insert 220. For example, FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate different airflow configurations including different densities of the at least one venting hole 330 along a top jacket surface of the vaporizable material insert 220. The at least one venting hole 330 may vary in number and/or the vaporizable material insert 220 may not include perforations on a top or bottom jacket surface, such as in FIG. 3A, and/or on one or more sides.

In some embodiments, the heating system of the vaporizer device 200 may include a cylindrical heating element. The cylindrical heating element may be configured for efficiently and effectively heating a vaporizable material insert 220 having a cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the heating element may include a slight angle to the heater surface and/or the cylinder. The angle may increase the contact between the heating element surface and the vaporizable material insert 220 as the vaporizable material insert 220 is inserted onto the heating element, thereby improving performance of the vaporizer device 200. Other heating element shapes and configurations are within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 4A depicts a graph illustrating an example of a temperature profile consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. As shown in FIG. 4A, the temperature profile, may exhibit a fixed shape defined by four variables including a starting temperature denoted T₁ (e.g., a first target temperature of a first puff P₁), a temperature of a constant temperature phase denoted T₂ (e.g., a second target temperature), a final temperature denoted T₃ (e.g., a third target temperature), and an N^(th) puff denoted P_(N). It should be appreciated that the N^(th) puff P_(N) may be any quantity of puffs following a second puff P₂. Moreover, the second puff and the N^(th) puff P_(N) may span the constant temperature phase with the second puff P₂ marking the start of the constant temperature phase and the N^(th) puff P_(N) marking the end of the constant temperature phase. During this constant temperature phase, the temperature of the vaporizer device 200 (e.g., the heating element 245) may be maintained at the second temperature T₂.

The variables T₁, T₂, T₃, and P_(N) may be tuned sequentially, and independently to some degree, in order to achieve a flat total particulate matter (TPM) profile and therefore the delivery of a consistent quantities of volatiles from the vaporizable material to the user. For example, the vaporizer device 200 may be configured to operate in accordance with the example of the temperature profile shown in FIG. 4A in order to achieve a consistent delivery of volatiles from the vaporizable material included in the vaporizable material insert 220. Adjusting the temperature of the heating element 245 in accordance with the temperature profile shown in FIG. 4A may ensure that the total particulate matter delivered with each puff is within a predetermined total particulate matter (TPM) range. For instance, the temperature of the heating element 245 may be adjusted in accordance with the temperature profile shown in FIG. 4A to ensure that the total particulate matter (e.g., the mass of volatiles) delivered with each successive puff remains between 3.5 milligrams and 5 milligrams (or another predetermined TPM range).

FIG. 4B depicts flowcharts illustrating an example of a process for determining the values of the variables T₁, T₂, T₃, and N for achieving a flat total particulate matter (TPM) profile. As shown in FIG. 4B, the value of the first target temperature T₁ may be determined by performing one or more tests with the vaporizer device 200 operating at different values of the first target temperature T₁ and adjusting the value of the first target temperature T₁ based on the value of the total particulate matter (TPM) measured for each test. For example, the value of the first target temperature T₁ may be increased if the test shown that the total particulate matter is less than a first threshold value (e.g., 3.5 milligrams or another value) and decreased if the test show that the total particulate matter is greater than a second threshold value (e.g., 5 milligrams or another value). The first threshold value (e.g., 3.5 milligrams or another value) and the second threshold value (e.g., 5 milligrams or another value) may define the predetermined total particulate matter (TPM) range. The vaporizer device 200 may be configured to operate in accordance with a temperature profile (e.g., including the temperatures T₁, T₂, and T₃) that ensures the total particulate matter (e.g., the mass of volatiles) delivered with each successive puff remains between the predetermined total particulate (TPM)P range. Thus, if the total particulate matter is greater than the first threshold value but less than the second threshold value, the value of the first target temperature T₁ may be decreased and/or the power cap may be increased if the first target temperature T₁ is not achieved during the first puff P₁. Additional tests may be performed with the vaporizer device 200 operating at the adjusted first target temperature T₁ and the first target temperature T₁ may undergo further adjustments as shown in FIG. 4A. The final value of the first target temperature T₁ may correspond to the value at which the total particulate matter is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, and the first target temperature is achieved during the first puff P₁.

Referring again to FIG. 4B, the value of the second target temperature T₂ and the N^(th) puff P_(N) may be determined by performing one or more tests with the vaporizer device 200 operating at different values of the second target temperature T₂ and adjusting the value of the second target temperature T₂ based on the value of the total particulate matter (TPM) measured for each test. For example, the value of the second target temperature T₂ may be increased if the test shown that the total particulate matter is less than a first threshold value (e.g., 3.5 milligrams or another value) and decreased if the test show that the total particulate matter is greater than a second threshold value (e.g., 5 milligrams or another value). If the total particulate matter is greater than the first threshold value but less than the second threshold value, the value of the second target temperature T₂ may be increased if the total particulate matter (TPM) of the fifth puff (or another puff) is not greater than the first threshold value (e.g., 3.5 milligrams or a different value). Additional tests may be performed with the vaporizer device 200 operating at the adjusted second target temperature T₂ and the second target temperature T₂ may undergo further adjustments as shown in FIG. 4A. The final value of the second target temperature T₂ may correspond to the value at which the total particulate matter is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, and the total particulate matter associated with the fifth puff (or another puff) is greater than the first threshold value. Moreover, the value N of the N^(th) puff P_(N) may correspond to the puff at which the total particulate matter falls below the first threshold value (e.g., 3.5 milligrams or another value).

FIG. 4B also depicts a process for determining the value of the third target temperature T₃, which may include performing one or more tests with the vaporizer device 200 operating at different values of the third target temperature T₃ and adjusting the value of the third target temperature T₃ based on the value of the total particulate matter (TPM) measured for each test. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the value of the third target temperature T₃ may be increased if the test shown that the total particulate matter of the (N−15)^(th) puff is less than a first threshold value (e.g., 3.5 milligrams or another value) and decreased if the test shows that the total particulate matter of the (N−15)^(th) puff is greater than a second threshold value (e.g., 5 milligrams or another value). The final value of the third target temperature T₃ may correspond to the value at which the total particulate matter of the (N−15)^(th) puff is not greater than the second threshold value.

A generalized version of the processes for determining the values of the first target temperature T₁, the second target temperature T₂, and the third target temperature T₃ is shown in FIG. 4C. It should be appreciated that the example of the temperature profile shown in FIG. 4A may be determined empirically, for example, in a laboratory setting and with a puff machine. The resulting temperature profile and/or the corresponding formulae may be loaded onto a vaporizer device, such as the vaporizer device 200. The vaporizer device may be configured to track one or more parameters such as puff duration, puff interval, and total puff number in order to maintain a consistent total particulate matter (TPM) delivery during each successive puffs. It should be appreciated that in some cases the total particulate matter (TPM) delivered to the user is not measured by the vaporizer device itself. Instead, consistency in total particulate matter delivery may be achieved by operating the vaporizer device in accordance with the temperature profile associated with a flat total particulate matter profile. For example, the controller 204 of the vaporizer device 200 may regulate an output voltage of the power source 212 and/or a duty cycle at which the electrical power from the power source 212 is delivered to the heating element 245 such that the heating element 245 is at the first target temperature T₁ for the first puff P₁, the second target temperature T₂ from the second puff P₂ to the N^(th) puff P_(N), and the third target temperature T₃ after the N^(th) puff P_(N). As described above, the values of T₁, T₂, T₃, and N associated with a consistent total particulate matter (TPM) may be determined empirically, for example, outside of the vaporizer device 200.

In some implementations of the current subject matter, the temperature profile applied at the vaporizer device 200 may be selected and/or modified based on an ambient pressure around the vaporizer device 200. The boiling point of a vaporizable material can vary due to changes in ambient pressure precipitated, for example, by a change in altitude and/or the like. Accordingly, the vaporizer device 200 may be configured to measure the ambient pressure. Moreover, the vaporizer device 200 may select, based at least on the ambient pressure, one of a plurality of temperature profiles, each of which being optimized for delivering a consistent quantity of volatiles from the vaporizable material (e.g., total particulate matter (TPM)) at a corresponding ambient pressure. Alternatively and/or additionally, the vaporizer device 200 may modify, based on the ambient pressure, the temperature profile that is being applied at the vaporizer device 200 when heating the vaporizable material. For instance, the vaporizer device 200 may increase (or decrease) the temperature specified by the temperature profile applied at the vaporizer device 200 such that the heating element 245 operates at an optimal temperature for delivering a consistent quantity of volatiles from the vaporizable material (e.g., total particulate matter (TPM)) at the current ambient pressure.

FIGS. 5A-D provide graphs illustrating exemplary results of validation testing, as well as testing of various embodiments of the vaporizable material insert 220. FIG. 5A is an example graph of a variable temperature profile for the vaporizer device 200. The graph shows operating temperature over 15 puffs. To obtain an optimal temperature profile, a baseline test (B1) was performed over 5-10 runs of the process shown in FIG. 4A. The expected total particulate matter (TPM) delivered over 15 puffs was 60 milligrams, and the corresponding total particulate matter curve was expected to show an early peak and steady drop-off. For the baseline measurements, 5-10 runs were performed at 280 degrees Celsius, with a 3-second preheat duration and a 30-watt power cap. The vaporizable material insert 220 was configured to have 12 venting holes on the side walls, with each of the 12 venting holes having a 1-millimeter diameter. Bypass flow was used, with a resistance temperature detector (RTD) setting of approximately 700 Pascals.

Once the baseline total particulate matter profile was obtained, a variable temperature test (B2) was run to optimize the firing temperature per puff and to flatten the total particulate profile of the baseline test B1. The aim was to achieve greater than 3.5-milligram total particulate matter (TPM) per puff with a total energy consumption of less than 1300 Joules. Runs were performed using variable temperatures per run, with a 3-second preheat duration and 30-watt power cap. Investigation was performed into the venting of the aerosol from the vaporizable material insert 220. It was expected that more venting holes would provide better venting of the aerosol. Five runs were performed for each of two different venting hole configurations, using the optimized heating profile obtained in the variable temperature test B2. Injection flow was used, with a resistance temperature detector (RTD) setting of approximately 700 Pascals.

FIG. 5B illustrates the results of baseline testing, testing with various venting hole configurations, and testing with variable temperatures. At the second puff P₂, the total particulate matter (TPM) observed ranged between 5 milligrams and 9 milligrams. At the second puff P₂, the highest total particulate matter was observed for the baseline configuration (e.g., about 9 milligrams), followed by the zero venting hole configuration (e.g., about 8.5 milligrams), the 82 venting hole configuration (e.g., about 8 milligrams), the 42 venting hole configuration (e.g., about 8 milligrams), and the variable temperature configuration (e.g., about 5 milligrams). As can be seen from the FIG. 5B, the variable temperature configuration is associated with the most consistent total particulate matter, which varied minimally between about 4 milligrams and about 5 milligrams.

Referring to the graph of FIG. 5B, the baseline measurement included 8 repeats performed at 280 degrees Celsius with a vaporizable material insert 220 having 12 venting holes, each venting hole having a 1 mm diameter. The measurement of the configurations having zero venting holes, 42 venting holes, and 84 venting holes each included 7 repeats performed using the baseline temperature profile. The variable temperature measurement included 5 repeats performed at the optimal temperature profile chosen from previous tests.

FIG. 5C is a graph of the total particulate matter profile for another configuration of the vaporizable material insert 220. The configuration tested and graphed in FIG. 5C is a brick or block of compressed vaporizable material having a square form factor and an external jacket. The brick of compressed vaporizable material is placed on a mesh which is positioned between tensioners and held therebetween. The brick of compressed vaporizable material sits on the mesh and is surrounded by air. Five configurations, C1-C5 were tested. Configuration C1 was tested at operating temperatures of 280 degrees Celsius and 300 degrees Celsius, as well as at a maximum operating temperature. Configurations C2-C5 were tested at an operating temperature of 300 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 5D is a graph of the TPM profile for yet another configuration of the vaporizable material insert 220. The configuration tested and graphed in FIG. 5D is a cylindrical jacket configured to contain a cylindrical filter proximal to the user and adjacent to a bed of vaporizable material, which is adjacent to a filter distal to the user. The bed and filter portions of the cylindrical jacket have a heating coil wrapped around the outer diameter of the jacket, with the heating coil secured to the jacket by copper bus bars with copper strap and screw. The filter can be soaked with a liquid vaporizable material suspended in a solution comprising propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin (PG VG). This vaporizable material insert configuration was tested one minute after addition of PG VG to the filter (“same day”) and one day after addition of PG VG to the filter (“overnight”). Additionally, tests were run using IQOS tobacco and using Phils American Blend tobacco, both tests run minutes after addition of PG VG to the filter (“IQOS” and “Phil”, respectively).

Additional investigation was also performed into the preferred mechanical preload of the vaporizable material insert 220. It was expected that a higher mechanical preload would result in better thermal contact between the heating element and the vaporizable material insert 220 and thus a higher total particulate matter, though the energy consumption was expected to be higher than that of a lower mechanical preload. Five runs were performed for each of two different preload setups, 10 Newtons and 30 Newtons as allowed by the spring selection. The optimized heating profile obtained in the variable temperature test B2 was used for this investigation as well. Injection flow was used, a resistance temperature detector (RTD) setting of approximately 700 Pascals. As can be seen from these tests and results, the most consistent total particulate matter delivery at the lowest operating temperature was achieved using adaptive temperature profiling. By varying the heating per puff based on the duration of the last puff, the vaporizer system can ensure delivery of consistent total particulate matter with each puff and can operate at a lower temperature thus reducing the potential exposure of the user to HPHC.

Terminology

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements can also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements can be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present.

Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature can have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

Spatially relative terms, such as “forward”, “rearward”, “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings provided herein.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers can be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value can have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed that “less than or equal to” the value, “greater than or equal to the value” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value “X” is disclosed the “less than or equal to X” as well as “greater than or equal to X” (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is also disclosed. It is also understood that the throughout the application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data, represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, if a particular data point “10” and a particular data point “15” are disclosed, it is understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed as well as between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes can be made to various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logical programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device, such as for example magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as would a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Use of the term “based on,” herein and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The embodiments set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all embodiments consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the embodiments described herein can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed herein. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An apparatus, comprising: a heating element configured to vaporize a vaporizable material; a sensor configured to detect a duration of a first puff and an interval between the first puff and a second puff subsequent to the first puff; and a controller configured to adjust, based at least on the duration of the first puff and the interval between the first puff and the second puff, a temperature of the heating element.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element is adjusted to a first temperature for the first puff and a second temperature for the second puff.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heating element is maintained at the second temperature for the second puff and at least a third puff subsequent to the second puff.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the heating element is further adjusted to a third temperature subsequent to the third puff.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the temperature of the heating element to achieve a flat total particulate matter (TPM) profile.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the flat TPM profile corresponds to delivering a first TPM with the first puff and a second TPM with the second puff, and wherein the first TPM and the second TPM are within a predetermined TPM range.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the predetermined TPM range is between 3.5 milligrams and 5 milligrams.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first TPM and the second TPM correspond to a mass of volatiles included in an aerosol delivered with a corresponding puff.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller adjusts the temperature of the heating element by at least regulating an output voltage of a power source of the apparatus and/or a duty cycle at which electrical power from the power source is delivered to the heating element.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element is positioned adjacent a vaporizable material receptacle configured to receive a vaporizable material insert including the vaporizable material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vaporizable material insert includes one or more perforations configured to allow air traveling along an airflow pathway of the apparatus to pass through the vaporizable material included in the vaporizable material insert.
 12. A method, comprising: receiving a vaporizable material into a vaporizable material compartment of a vaporizer device, the vaporizer device further comprising an airflow pathway and an adaptive heating system, the airflow pathway extending along the vaporizable material compartment, and the adaptive heating system including a heating element configured to heat the vaporizable material, a sensor configured to detect a duration of a first puff and an interval between the first puff and a second puff subsequent to the first puff, and a controller configured to adjust, based at least on the duration of the first puff and the interval between the first puff and the second puff, a temperature of the heating element; heating, by the heating element, the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol for delivery to a user; and adjusting the temperature of the heating element in response to the duration of the first puff and/or the interval between the first puff and the second puff deviating from a predetermined value.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the heating element is adjusted to a first temperature for the first puff and a second temperature for the second puff.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the heating element is maintained at the second temperature for the second puff and at least a third puff subsequent to the second puff.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the heating element is further adjusted to a third temperature following the third puff.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller adjusts the temperature of the heating element to achieve a flat total particulate matter (TPM) profile.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the flat TPM profile corresponds delivering a first TPM with the first puff and a second TPM with the second puff, and wherein the first TPM and the second TPM are within a predetermined TPM range.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first TPM and the second TPM comprise a mass of volatiles included in the aerosol delivered with a corresponding puff.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the controller adjusts the temperature of the heating element by at least regulating an output voltage of a power source at the vaporizer device and/or a duty cycle at which electrical power from the power source is delivered to the heating element.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein one or more perforations are created in a vaporizable material insert including the vaporizable material prior to the vaporizable material insert being disposed in the vaporizable material compartment, and wherein the one or more perforations are configured to allow air traveling along the airflow passageway to pass through the vaporizable material included in the vaporizable material insert. 